To Catarman Philippines Poem by Ian Jay Bantilan

A journey of a young architect to discover the town of Catarman 2004


I packed my bag while it was dark
And left my home without a sock.
I should have brought just one or two,
And tech pens, watercolors, two.

My dad will drive me to the place
Where I would last, see his face,
'Twill take another month or so,
Before I'm back to say hello.

Today I'm hired to work somewhere
Good pay and all, but hell, who cares?
this place, I thought, I had no friends
It must be lonely to be sent.

The winding roads wer long and dusty
Through mountains, valleys and many seas
Corssed the Bridge of San Juanico,
And north to where the strong winds blow.

Catarman, Catarman
How can I forget you?
Catarman, Catarman
Your quiet nights, filled
with Videoke sounds
And your lovely girls abound.

I'm glad to find the locals friendly
Cheerful folks except a few
It's hard admitting but I'd likely
Really want to stay here too.

I knew this lady from the Grain'ry
She'd work all day, that's what she'd do.
On Sat'rdays she'd play some srings, I say
It's good to have a friend like you.

On weekends we would take a trip,
Along the Airport landing Strip.
When tired we'd rest to feel the breeze
As the noon sun sets on the seas.

Just when I see the Waters Foam,
Suddently I remember home.
I miss my mom and father, bad,
& Babes the sister that I had.

Catarman, Catarman
How can I forget you?
Catarman, Catarman
Your quiet nights, filled
with Videoke sounds
And your lovely girls abound.

O busy town drawn on many Bridges,
Your Beauty rings from all your Beaches.
From Coconut Palms and rattan farms,
And Candid smiles reflect your inner cahr, .

I see they are a people hwo,
Are funny folks in what they do.
They pull some laughs and spread some cheer
And call you to their toast of beer.

When they drink, they start to thinking
How bliss life is, with a voice-a-singing.
While some would dance into the tunes
Of Waray songs, not long too soon.

Some lonely nights I'd wake up to
The lyric chants the locals do.
Voices filled with deadly passion
Recounting stories past with precision

At midnight they would spill their hearts
That words and meaning make their makr
From a people, brave and full of song
A strum with guitars, a bang with gongs.

One time I set for UEP
Samar's grand University
A pleasant sight along the trek.
Only problem is my own way back!

Got passed some stu'ents along the stroll
While I moved along the Halls.
In their faces there was a glow
Bright from studies, the things they know.

Catarman, Catarman
How can I forget you?
Catarman, Catarman
Your quiet nights, filled
with Videoke sounds
And your lovely girls abound.